“All I wanted to do was play ball, but no college team will take me with my record.”
I knew that was hard for him to admit. Even though he played it cool on the surface, it was eating away at him. “Could you consider studying something else?”
Thiago shook his head, reached over, grabbed my cup, and stole a sip, leaving me speechless. “My brother’s more the college type. I don’t have what it takes to put up with that shit for four years.”
There was no conviction in his words. “You’re amazing, Thiago. You could do anything you put your mind to.”
His eyes warned me not to push it. “What about you and my brother? How are you going to manage it?”
“Manage what?”
He took a bite of my cake. “I mean, Harvard’s in Massachusetts and Yale is in Connecticut.”
I hadn’t thought about it, and I told him, feeling uncomfortable that we’d never discussed it. I didn’t like talking to Thiago about my relationship with Taylor.
“That sure is a long bike ride,” he commented with a grin.
He was so handsome, I had to smile back. “Right… I guess I’ll need to buy a car. So I’d better start saving.” I wrapped my fingers around my mug to warm them up.
“Is your allowance enough for you to buy another one?”
“I don’t get an allowance anymore,” I admitted.
“Poor thing,” he teased.
“I need a job, actually, at least if I’m ever going to do anything more interesting than sit around my house. You haven’t heard of any openings, have you?”
“No,” he said. “So you’re on a job hunt. Looks like you’re growing up.” He seemed proud.
“You sound like my dad.”
“Listen up: Whatever my feelings are for you, I can promise you they’re not paternal.”
Was that a compliment? “Really, though,” I said, “I need work, if you hear of anything.”
Thiago took another sip of my coffee, and just as I was about to tell him to get his own, he pointed at something behind me.I turned. There it was right on the chalkboard with the day’s specials:Help wanted.I couldn’t believe it.
“No shit!”
Thiago opened his laptop, getting back to work, as he murmured, “I’ll admit, I do like the idea of you serving me coffee and cookies.”
I ignored him and walked to the counter.
“Mrs. Mill,” I said, “I hear you’re hiring.”
She beamed. “That’s right, dear. With Mr. Mill not doing well, I need someone to lend a hand around here.”
“I could do it,” I said enthusiastically.
“You?” She seemed unconvinced.
“Please, Mrs. Mill. I promise I’ll be the best employee you’ve ever had.”
She thought it over and replied, “All right then, I’ll talk it over with Mr. Mill. You’d have to come in and try it out for a day. But if you can handle it, then why not?”
I smiled so bright it must have lit up the whole café. “Thank you, Mrs. Mill! How about tomorrow afternoon?”
“Sure, dear,” she said sweetly. She seemed amused to see me so happy about it.
